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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
221 |
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TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE PROGRAMS DEVELOPED BY THE KULANI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY THAT WOULD AID IN THE REVITALIZATION OF STATE AGRICULTURE.
WHEREAS, the revitalization and maintenance of the state's agricultural industry requires concerted and holistic efforts on the part of state agencies and organizations; and
WHEREAS, institutions of higher education can provide valuable input and resources for programs promoting agriculture; and
WHEREAS, the Kulani Correctional Facility (KCF), in collaboration with the Hawaii Community College (HCC), has developed a greenhouse program in which inmates build and maintain the facilities, grow native plants, raise hydroponic vegetables, and learn landscaping techniques; and
WHEREAS, HCC also offers a non-credit certificate of completion to KCF inmates who participate in the three-month program; and
WHEREAS, KCF has also been working in concert with Dr. William Steiner, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management at the University of Hawaii (UH-CAFNRM), to develop inmate rehabilitation pilot programs that will assist in agricultural revitalization; and
WHEREAS, these pilot programs include:
(1) A ranch line to develop tropical grass-fed cattle, dairy, and goats, as sustainable and viable products for the state;
(2) A piggery intended to develop herds for experimental production systems and increase the sustainability of piggeries in Hawaii; and
(3) Silviculture projects to develop biofuels, tree crops, and sustainable native forests;
and
WHEREAS, these pilot programs may also include a multicultural, multiethnic component that may provide support in helping the inmates better adjust to society; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that UH-CAFNRM is requested, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and HCC, to conduct a study on the programs developed by KCF that would aid in the revitalization of state agriculture and provide workforce re-entry and job training for KCF inmates; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOA is requested to explore alternative sources of funding, including federal funds from agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture, that may be available to meet the costs of the study as well as the pilot programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UH-CAFNRM is requested to submit a written report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any appropriate legislation, no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2010 Regular Session; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Dean of UH-CAFNRM, Chair of the Board of Agriculture, Warden of the Kulani Correctional Facility, Chancellor of Hawaii Community College, and President of the University of Hawaii System.
Agricultural Revitalization; Correctional Facility Inmates; Study